New York State Assembly Candidate Phillips Turns His Eyes to Owasco Lake Protection

Phillips, D-Auburn, toured Owasco Lake Saturday and urged the state to take action to address the spread of harmful algal blooms. The blooms, which contain toxins that threaten the lake’s water quality, develop in the summer and last into early fall.

One of Phillips’ proposals is for the state to adopt and implement watershed cleanup plans for bodies of water affected by harmful algal blooms. He also supports enforcing federal and state regulations to crack down on polluters.

The city of Auburn and the town of Owasco have been trying to update Owasco Lake watershed rules and regulations that have not been changed since 1984. After the proposed changes were introduced in 2020, the state Department of Health released its own proposal last year that excluded nutrient management regulations and other local rules.

In July, local officials received notice from the state Department of Health that the agency had no intention of updating watershed regulations.

“Harmful algal blooms are a serious problem in our community that affect every single one of us,” Phillips said. “The tour of Owasco Lake (Saturday) once again highlighted all the ways that Central New York is suffering from these outbreaks. I am disappointed that New York State has backed away from new regulations to combat HABs.”

Phillips also visited Twin Birch Dairy, a farm in Skaneateles that has been recognized for its environmental practices. One of his water quality agenda items is fueling resources that mitigate sources of pollution. If elected to the state Assembly, he would support sustainable agriculture.

In the race for the 126th Assembly District nomination, Phillips is highlighting the differences between himself and Republican Assemblyman John Lemondes.

Lemondes, R-LaFayette, generally supports water quality protections but has opposed local pressure to update the Owasco Lake watershed rules. He told a crowd at a town hall meeting in Auburn in August that his opposition stemmed from concerns about the data used to support the proposed regulations.

In a statement Friday, Lemondes’ campaign said he is “a passionate advocate for protecting the Finger Lakes” and emphasized his support for a state budget bill that includes $3.5 million in funding for the Finger Lakes-Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance.

“As a farmer, I know firsthand how important local ecosystems are. Without freshwater resources, there are no farms and no food,” Lemondes said. “We need leaders who are committed to solving these problems head on, rather than creating political platforms. It’s time for us to come together to create common sense solutions, rather than promoting radical policies.”

The 126th Assembly District includes parts of Cayuga and Onondaga counties. Three of the Finger Lakes — Otisco, Owasco and Skaneateles — are in the district.